JULY 1: The Trail Blazers have officially signed Hoard to a two-way contract, the team announced today in a press release.
JUNE 21: The Trail Blazers have reached agreement on a two-way contract with Jaylen Hoard of Wake Forest, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi.
The 6’8″ forward out of France had a strong freshman season with the Demon Deacons, averaging 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 31 games. He has been playing internationally since 2015.
Portland didn’t issue any two-way deals last season. The Blazers are one of just two teams without a G League affiliate, so Hoard will get much of his training with another organization.
I love this draft by the Blazers. I was watching the whole second round even though we didn’t have a pick in case we traded into the 2nd. Picking up Jaylen Hoard without giving up any future assets was the best case scenario. Getting two guys with tremendous defensive upside and jump shot mechanics that Portland’s staff can work with was exactly what they needed to do. It’s much easier to teach shooting than it is to teach defense. Between last year and this year’s first round picks, the Blazers have gotten top 10 talent at picks #24 and #25 (Anfernee Simons last year, Nassir Little this year). These are guys who would absolutely go top 10 if not 5 if they had both stayed in school for 1 extra year. That extra year being spent instead with Portland’s staff getting them ready to play in that system is huge and sets these guys up for success once they get the opportunity.
I must say defense is a matter of will, wanting to do it, attitude basically. Defending is always a lot easier than attacking, just think to destroy is easier than to build or create. So is just about finding the guy who is willing to put the effort to defend, mental attitude, which can be hard to find in kids in our day!
Ah! Those kids today!
Now get off my lawn!
Well they’re taking their time letting Simons out of the house so we can get a look at him. His 141 minutes PT was just for chores. Taking the garbage to the curb, pulling dandelions etc. Should have gone off to college.
Key words “getting them ready… once they get the opportunity”. Reading comprehension is essential, one day you’ll master it.
Did you want them to play him ahead of Seth Curry and Rodney Hood on the way to the Western Conference Semifinals for you?
Key words “they’re taking their time”. And this is true, you said it yourself, so I don’t see your issue.
As for the playoff PT, never expressed that opinion. PT adequate to support wild claims by their fans? That would be nice. But no he was generally kept under wraps which both invites suspicion and allows anything to be said about his potetntial.
Look at the suspicions directed toward Nassir Little for his lack of PT at UNC. That’s how he was still available at #25. They said he could not adapt to simple principles. I advocated for him from midyear anyway, as a top 10 or so. Talent I could see.